The space shuttle launch that will carry Stockton astronaut José Hernández has been delayed one week to Aug. 25.
Hernández, mission specialist, said on Twitter: "Our launch date is now tentative set to no earlier than August 25th."
Katherine Trinidad, a NASA spokesperson, confirmed that the Discovery launch was delayed approximately one week, but said the administration has not officially announced a new date.
Hernández, born in French Camp, is a graduate of Franklin High School and University of the Pacific, where he currently serves on the board of regents.
Hernández was chosen last year for the mission that is scheduled to deliver science equipment to the International Space Station. The six-member crew also will drop off an astronaut and bring home another.
Hernández, 46, who will operate the robotic arm and work on any mechanical malfunctions, was hired as chief of materials and processes at NASA in 2001.
He started a two-year astronaut training program in 2004. In 2008, he was selected for the 2009 space mission.
Hernández is the official communicator of the mission on Twitter.com. He posts about two messages per day in English and in Spanish at twitter.com/astro_jose.